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Out where I work (the Golden Triangle of Silicon Valley) more and more of the technical workforce commutes to work over a distance greater than thirty miles. Silicon Valley is expensive, and only very senior people will be able to afford a house. Very junior people will rent roums and double (or sextuple) up to save money on rent.
The mid-level people necessary to an organization will commute. Here's some principles (please add more) to add value to the companies and workers who have to commute.
1. Companies get tax benefits if they give the employees transit passes.
2. Try to get HR to publish a list of workers willing to carpool (this can be done and still ensure employee privacy).
3. Companies often schedule meetings, conference rooms, etc. on tools like meeting maker. Have the tools display the departure times of commuter trains and buses, so meetings will be planned that they can attend.
4. Middle management has the toughest time becoming commute savvy. Incorporate commute techniques in the management school that managers attend for refresher training.
5. Plan conference calls so that commuters can call in while on the road (or train). Make sure the cell phone allowance is large enough to cover this.
6. Have a good home office/telecommute plan that lets workers get stuff done at home. Also, have a good orientation plan for new hires, that "socialize" the new workers well, so that home office works.
7. Have a good guest cube system - and have good "cubicle etiquette" - so that time spent in the office is considered "valuable". Remember, the fully-burdened cost of techies is often $200 per hour.
8. Put commuters who live near to each other on similar projects, so collaboration is easy.
9. Over a third of the people who ride ACE (a local commuter train) say "This is the first time in my life I've ever been on a train". Have "ambassadors" within your company to explain "how to ride" a train or bus.
10. On your company website, make sure "Directions to the office" include transit directions, as well as driving directions.
The mid-level people necessary to an organization will commute. Here's some principles (please add more) to add value to the companies and workers who have to commute.
1. Companies get tax benefits if they give the employees transit passes.
2. Try to get HR to publish a list of workers willing to carpool (this can be done and still ensure employee privacy).
3. Companies often schedule meetings, conference rooms, etc. on tools like meeting maker. Have the tools display the departure times of commuter trains and buses, so meetings will be planned that they can attend.
4. Middle management has the toughest time becoming commute savvy. Incorporate commute techniques in the management school that managers attend for refresher training.
5. Plan conference calls so that commuters can call in while on the road (or train). Make sure the cell phone allowance is large enough to cover this.
6. Have a good home office/telecommute plan that lets workers get stuff done at home. Also, have a good orientation plan for new hires, that "socialize" the new workers well, so that home office works.
7. Have a good guest cube system - and have good "cubicle etiquette" - so that time spent in the office is considered "valuable". Remember, the fully-burdened cost of techies is often $200 per hour.
8. Put commuters who live near to each other on similar projects, so collaboration is easy.
9. Over a third of the people who ride ACE (a local commuter train) say "This is the first time in my life I've ever been on a train". Have "ambassadors" within your company to explain "how to ride" a train or bus.
10. On your company website, make sure "Directions to the office" include transit directions, as well as driving directions.
